DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS 59 



which the so-called friendly bullet is the only 

 remedy, and is generally the result of a bite from a 

 rabid dog. The chief symptoms are the paroxysms 

 of fury which possess the horse at intervals, these 

 usually being preceded by a period of dulness and 

 depression. When they appear the victim bites at 

 everything, and throws himself upon the ground, 

 and, in fact, appears to be the frenzied creature 

 which he is. It is a popular delusion that rabid 

 animals must necessarily shrink from water, as they 

 are consumed by an insatiable thirst which they are 

 prevented from relieving owing to the paralysis of the 

 muscles of their throats. 



Mafige is another disease which one horse can 

 readily communicate to another, but it exists in so 

 many forms that the treatment of an attack should 

 be entrusted to a professional man, the patient being 

 carefully isolated until his arrival, and its own cloth- 

 ing, harness, and stable utensils being separately 

 stored. 



Ver7iiin^ though scarcely a disease, can be caught 

 from a stable companion, or by occupying an infected 

 stall, but they have no right to appear in any well- 

 conducted establishment. A good remedy for these 

 pests is to rub and brush paraffin and train oil, equal 

 parts, thoroughly into the coats, and when the insects 

 are destroyed the horse may be well washed in soap 

 and water. 



Rifigworm is another result of keeping dirty 

 company or standing in an infected stable, and in 

 the early stages may be cured by an application of 

 paraffin or sulphur ointment"; but, being a most con- 

 tagious disease, it is best to obtain professional 

 advice. The stable and everything the horse has 

 touched should be most thoroughly and completely 

 disinfected, and the animal's attendant should be 

 careful to avoid touching the infected parts. 



Puerperal Fever being a very serious matter 



